I’ve always preferred short little men’s haircuts for my little boys. Not only do I think it’s adorable, but there’s also less risk of it getting in their eyes and MORE IMPORTANTLY… it’s easier to get peanut butter out of shorter hair.

I did hair for about 10 years before having kids and diving full on into the blog, so I knew I would always cut my kids’ hair. I have to say, they have both been excellent clients from the start. Because I started cutting it so early, and it’s always in the comfort of our own home, they’ve never strongly protested. As they are getting older, Youtube + a sweet treat has proved to be an effective form of bribery, which I’m all for when it comes to sitting still for a haircut.

Luke and David’s hair could not be more different. Luke’s is blonde, thick, and stick straight. David’s is sort of like a taupe non-color, which is exactly what my natural color is too. His hair is thinner and fine. It lays more flat without much natural “strength”.

I don’t like using gel because it’s too wet looking and can be pretty unforgiving. If you mess up gelled hair, it’s hard to fix it.

I’ve been using this clay since I started putting product in their hair and it’s been perfect for both of their textures.

To begin, I sit them up on the kitchen counter and wet their hair with water. I can usually part Luke’s hair with my hands, but I have a comb nearby for parting David’s.

While their hair is still quite wet, I’ll grab a dime sized amount of the clay, and rub it all over my palms.

Next, I’ll rake my fingers through their hair, following the way the hair is laying while it’s wet, and once the direction has been established, I’ll push down on it with my hands and run my palms over both sides.

And that’s it! Their hair will dry within about 10-15 minutes, and the finished look will be more on the matte/dry side versus a wet gelled look.

I follow the same process with David, and sometimes use a comb to push it over a bit more since it’s so fine.

Besides the finish, I love that I can just add water to their hair post-nap or post-crazy outside playing to freshen it up. It doesn’t need more clay!

A few extra tips for styling little boys’ hair:

Let them be “involved” if you can. If they can hold the container of whatever product you are using, they may feel like their are helping!

Don’t style it until they are dressed and you are about to head out the door!

A wet paper towel is a fast and simple way to wet down hair if the spray bottle causes stress.

The more wet their hair is before applying product, the more thinned out and “softer” the product will become. Conversely, the more dry the hair is, the stiffer and stronger the product will be.

We bought hair clippers on Amazon for $25 and buzz my 2 year-old son’s head to a “size 4”. It has saved us tons of $ and my hubby does his now as well. He looks adorable (well, they both do) and it’s minimal stress because you don’t have to really get out the scissors except for the very back. That’s just a few snips to clean it up if needed. For Kate, she’s an amazing hairdresser so she’s more comfortable with the scissors. I’m not!

I also purchased a trimmer/clipper set when my first son was almost 2. It’s been about 5 years since then and after awhile you figure out (trial and error) how to use scissors to blend and cut bangs. I can now do a better job than Great Clips and I have no training. lol

While I know the haircut should be left to the professionals – any tips for a quick trim & clean-up of your son’s hair – I hate spending the money to just trim up above his ears and front.
Thanks and your boys are adorable!

Thank you for the tips! I have limited hairstyling abilities for girls (although my daughter is cool with a pair of french braid which somehow I can do) and even less for my son! I can’t wait to pick up this clay and get him looking fresh!

Thank you so much for posting these tips. We have an almost 3 year old and 6 month old boys. My oldest has thick coarse hair (I have naturally curly… poor guy). I am excited to try the clay, you mentioned, to keep it in place. Also, if you have any tips on what to tell the stylist when they are cutting his hair. He’s had a few bad ones that make him look like one of the stooges 😬

Thank you! I have a one year old son and just trimmed his hair last night. Your tips were super helpful and I’m going to have to look into getting some of that product when he has more hair to style. Your boys are so sweet. I love that their socks are sticker covered. My kids would do the same thing.

I have 3 (soon to be four!) boys , and I’ve always preferred the short mini-man haircuts also! My problem is 2 out of my 3 boys absolutely HATE getting their hair cut, so I tend to prolong haircuts as long as possible. But I love it when it’s styled like this ! Your boys are absolutely adorable!

You boys are so adorable! This post made me smile, because my son’s opinion of doing hair has been funny. When he was 8, or so I told him he needed to comb his hair, because it had gotten a tad long. His protest? “But Mum, I don’t know how!” I realised he had never actually used a comb, because his hair was short. Now, as a 16yo, when I asked if he’d like to have a nice hair style like his boy cousins (a year either side of him), he said “Nup. It’s just hair Mum”.

Having said that, I’m the only one allowed to cut that hair. I’m no hairdresser, so I use clippers to sheer it back to looking like a real boy again.

How old were they when you started using the clay? My son is 8 months and has hair that used to stick up like a faux-hawk when he was teeny, but once his actual hair came in, it lays flat like David’s.

My son has opposite cowlicks on either side of his widows peak. So far I’ve just buzzed him with the clippers but I am wondering how to deal with his unique hairline as he starts to have an opinion about his hair. He’s almost 3.

I have used kids gel and some of my husbands paste in my sons thick straight hair to keep it parted to the side but it never holds for the whole day. Do you think this clay will stay all day for kids with a little longer hair in the front? I am in desperate need because I hate that his hair falls in his face and looks like a bull cut when its not styled to the side!

Wow! What a difference. I have a 16 month old boy and things are starting to get unruly…might have to give this a try now (or certainly down the line). I’d be interested in any recos for all-natural styling products, too!